SRINAGAR, OCT 4: Inayat Jehangir continued his dominance on the local tennis circuit, securing his fourth consecutive Singles title at the Srinagar Open Tennis Championship 2026, which concluded at the Gindun Sports Complex on Sunday.
Jehangir produced a commanding performance in the final, defeating Shubhkarman Singh 6-1, 6-1 in a one-sided title clash. The defending champion, however, had to negotiate a much tougher semifinal against veteran player Deepak Singh, eventually prevailing 8-6 in a contest that lasted for more than an hour.
The Doubles title went to the pair of Hardeep Singh and Paras Kachroo, who overcame Mir Jameel and Haider Hussain in a closely fought final. After the two teams shared a set each, the championship was decided in a tense tie-break, with Hardeep and Paras holding their nerve to win 13-11.
In the Under-10 girls category, Areena Bilal emerged champion, while Aizah Masoodi finished runner-up.
The three-day championship featured 72 matches, underlining the growing popularity and competitive depth of tennis in Jammu and Kashmir. The tournament attracted players from Andaman, Rajasthan, Haryana and Bihar, giving the event a wider competitive profile beyond the region.
A total of 31 players competed in the Singles category, while 36 players participated in Doubles, reflecting strong participation across the championship.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Security) Sajad Khaliq Bhat, who attended the closing ceremony as chief guest, presented trophies to the winners and appreciated the players for their competitive performances.
Organising Secretary Abdul Wahab said the tournament had steadily expanded over the past seven years and expressed confidence that the Srinagar Open could develop into a premier tennis event of Jammu and Kashmir.
Wahab also acknowledged the support extended by the District Lawn Tennis Association, Jammu and Kashmir Lawn Tennis Association and J&K Sports Council, whose cooperation contributed to the successful conduct of the championship.
With its expanding participation, interstate representation and sustained competitive standard, the Srinagar Open is emerging as an important fixture on the J&K tennis calendar, providing a platform for established players as well as emerging talent to compete at a higher level.
